Pastor of Muppets wrote:

As far as an extension goes, you want something runs at least 2 ohms (I don't think they even make bass cabs that run under that), but I'd recommend something that runs @ 4 ohms for maximum efficiency. If you find a cab that runs @ 8ohms and you really like it, use it. But you end up getting more out of a 4 ohm cab. Also, you need to make sure that the cab can handle the wattage.

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Peavey-TVX-210-EX-2X10-Bass-Speaker-Cabinet?sku=600561

^that cab would fit very well...hell, its even a peavey

As far as strings, thats really trial and error. It depends on what you play, how you play, and how thick/thin you like your strings. I've found that Ernie Ball strings are very consistent, but even with Power Slinkys (the heaviest 4-string gauge available), you cannot go below D-standard tuning without the strings flopping around too much. DiAdarrio strings are inexpensive but otherwise unremarkable. GHS heavy bass boomers will work until about C# standard (and they last a long time too). But if you're looking to drop anything below C#, go with Dunlop light gauge 5-string strings (just leave off the top string). But by far the coolest strings for standard tuning that I've played are the DR Black Beauties. Not only do they feel great to play on, but they look positively BADASS.

I'm not even going to bother to answer that last question,

My friend, you rule. I was Googling bass extension cabs for ages and finding nothing under £600. I can get that cab you linked me for £156 in the UK

I play in C sharp, so you reckon the Power Slinkys? I use EB's on my guitar, and they've never let me down. What about the DR Black Beauties looks good?

Bidley wrote:

I play in C sharp, so you reckon the Power Slinkys? I use EB's on my guitar, and they've never let me down. What about the DR Black Beauties looks good?

I'd say the power slinkys or the GHS heavy bass boomers ($20 for either one..not too bad for bass strings).

The Black Beauties are black coated strings, they look amazing on a maple fretboard. I believe they make them in heavy gauge too, so I might consider looking into those too.

Once I improve a bit (ok...a lot), I'm going to get an awesome guitar.
I figure the thought of a new guitar will help motivate me to practice harder.

I currently have a Cort G250: http://www.richardsguitars.co.uk/acatalog/Richards_Guitars_G_250_TAB_280.html

It's a decent starter guitar, which I basically chose because it was 1/2 price Pretty versatile sound because of the humbucker. It's good for bluesy rock and has a tremolo, so the new guitar wouldn't particularly need a tremolo or a great mellow rock sound. I guess a fixed bridge would be more stable. My pick-ups don't allow for the extreme metal sound I'd like.

24 frets, a good neck and ballsy pick-ups are my basic requirements.
Budget...hmm...not too sure how much I can get for my money, or how much difference there is between price categories. For now, lets say <£500.

I only recently discovered that a guitar needs to be set up correctly according to the string gauge. How important is this? I've been changing between .009-.042 and .010-.046
Is it only a problem if I were to change to a really heavy gauge?

Also, are certain gauges much better for certain types of music? Heavy will give a deeper sound right? So heavy gauge for doom, light gauge for squeaky neo-classical?
I've only ever used the light gauges mentioned above.

Neon_Knight_ wrote:

I only recently discovered that a guitar needs to be set up correctly according to the string gauge. How important is this? I've been changing between .009-.042 and .010-.046
Is it only a problem if I were to change to a really heavy gauge?

Also, are certain gauges much better for certain types of music? Heavy will give a deeper sound right? So heavy gauge for doom, light gauge for squeaky neo-classical?
I've only ever used the light gauges mentioned above.

Its to do with intonation, switching gauges can mean theres an issue regarding tuning but with a minor change like that I wouldn't worry too much.

Anyone here played a Jackson Warrior or Ibanez Xiphos?

Neon_Knight_ wrote:

Anyone here played a Jackson Warrior or Ibanez Xiphos?

I know a guy who absolutely swears blindly by the Xiphos. As in, he plays it over his more expensive custom guitars.

Rosalind wrote:

Neon_Knight_ wrote:

Anyone here played a Jackson Warrior or Ibanez Xiphos?

I know a guy who absolutely swears blindly by the Xiphos. As in, he plays it over his more expensive custom guitars.

Apart from a few negative comments about the bridges (probably anal, uneducated remarks), both guitars are supposed to be really good, especially for the money.
The Xiphos caught my eye when Greg Corbu posted a video of him playing one. Looks awesome and has a good neck and pick-ups.
Reviews and forums are split between them, most people just deciding according to whether they are used to Jackson or Ibanez guitars in general. My local music shop (Music Room) doesn't have either for me to try out.

Neon_Knight_ wrote:

Rosalind wrote:

Neon_Knight_ wrote:

Anyone here played a Jackson Warrior or Ibanez Xiphos?

I know a guy who absolutely swears blindly by the Xiphos. As in, he plays it over his more expensive custom guitars.

Apart from a few negative comments about the bridges (probably anal, uneducated remarks), both guitars are supposed to be really good, especially for the money.
The Xiphos caught my eye when Greg Corbu posted a video of him playing one. Looks awesome and has a good neck and pick-ups.
Reviews and forums are split between them, most people just deciding according to whether they are used to Jackson or Ibanez guitars in general. My local music shop (Music Room) doesn't have either for me to try out.

Compare them.

Jackson has a Floyd Rose, Ibanez has a custom floating assembly. Personally, id avoid the FR as whilst 'the original,' they so easily go out of tune and restringing is a bitch, even if you can make dragonforce like divebombs with them.

Bolt-on vs Neck-thru. The answer to that one is obvious imo.

DiMarzio vs EMGs, thats just personal preference.

From the stats id take the Xiphos, but I'd not choose either without playing one, irrespective of how far Id need to travel for that.

Rosalind wrote:

Compare them.

Jackson has a Floyd Rose, Ibanez has a custom floating assembly. Personally, id avoid the FR as whilst 'the original,' they so easily go out of tune and restringing is a bitch, even if you can make dragonforce like divebombs with them.

Bolt-on vs Neck-thru. The answer to that one is obvious imo.

DiMarzio vs EMGs, thats just personal preference.

From the stats id take the Xiphos, but I'd not choose either without playing one, irrespective of how far Id need to travel for that.

Thanks for the advice!
I would have assumed the FR is better, but you're far from the first person I've known to say they got out of tune easily. Aren't Dragonforce always really out of tune by the end of their first song?
Yeah I'd obviously try any guitar out before buying. Particularly with this sort of unusual shape, I'd need to check the the balance etc.

Usually yeah Your Cort G250 uses a Wilkinson bridge, which again is floating assembly but easy to restring. Personally, for all the times I use it I'd rather have something like that than a FR.

Rosalind wrote:

Usually yeah Your Cort G250 uses a Wilkinson bridge, which again is floating assembly but easy to restring. Personally, for all the times I use it I'd rather have something like that than a FR.

Yeah, my Wilkinson bridge seems to stay in tune fairly well and couldn't be simpler to restring, but I don't use the tremolo very often.

I've got a Jackson KE3 and an Ibanez RG220, both with floyd roses, and I've never had to tune either in, bar when I'm changing the strings, which is only difficult if you don't know what you're doing.

Yo, since I forgot the stuff to my old profile, I made a new one. This is John Bella, gearhead extraordinare.

Anyone wanna nerd out and talk about their wicked rig? Lol

Rosalind wrote:

Jackson has a Floyd Rose, Ibanez has a custom floating assembly. Personally, id avoid the FR as whilst 'the original,' they so easily go out of tune and restringing is a bitch, even if you can make dragonforce like divebombs with them.

I just noticed this. Neither have original FR's, and both are floating assembly - that's what a FR/licensed FR/floating tremolo is. The only difference is the Ibanez (from memory) is single locking, and has a system that doesn't require you to snip the balls at the ends of the strings off, and the Jackson (again, from memory) is double locking, which is a little bit more of a pain to restring, but once the strings are worn in, it won't go out of tune.

Strange. I always thought the ones where you snip the balls off were the FR; I've used a Wilkinson bridge before which is a floating assembly. It was pretty nice tbh, restrings like a fixed bridge, except floating!

Don't use them much myself anyway, I've sort of been indoctrinated to the Katsu Ohta school of thought, just use loose strings and bend like a mad fucker...

Ah that's just a standard tremolo, the kind you get on Strats. Much less hassle, but less tuning stability.

I used to find them a massive hassle, but when I play a hardtail now I find string bends and palm muting much more difficult.

Still haven't bought a new guitar. Need to wait until I get decent job :'(